🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $739 in Cusco versus $1,044 in Miraflores.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,164 in Cusco versus $1,161 in Miraflores.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,589 in Cusco versus $1,279 in Miraflores.
🌍Living in Cusco costs roughly 29% less than in Miraflores, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Cusco45% lower, Miraflores22% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.73PEN 9.25
$4.19PEN 14.23
-34.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.05PEN 95.2
$32.90PEN 112
-14.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.64PEN 19.12
$5.02PEN 17.03
12.35%
Cappuccino
$2.00PEN 6.79
$2.53PEN 8.57
-20.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23PEN 4.17
$0.92PEN 3.13
33.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73PEN 2.49
$0.65PEN 2.19
12.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.23PEN 7.58
$2.24PEN 7.61
-0.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.29PEN 14.57
$3.77PEN 12.80
13.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.45PEN 4.90
$1.28PEN 4.34
13.28%
White Bread(500g)
$2.88PEN 9.78
$1.13PEN 3.84
154.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27PEN 4.32
$1.35PEN 4.56
-5.93%
Eggs
$3.80PEN 12.90
$2.93PEN 9.95
29.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.64PEN 15.75
$8.18PEN 27.74
-43.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.82PEN 16.34
$5.73PEN 19.45
-15.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.78PEN 22.99
$8.93PEN 30.29
-24.08%
Apples(1kg)
$2.45PEN 8.31
$2.06PEN 7.00
18.93%
Banana(1kg)
$0.72PEN 2.45
$1.08PEN 3.66
-33.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32PEN 4.49
$1.15PEN 3.91
14.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.88PEN 3.00
$1.09PEN 3.71
-19.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00PEN 3.38
$1.04PEN 3.52
-3.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.99PEN 3.34
$0.84PEN 2.85
17.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65PEN 2.20
$0.80PEN 2.71
-18.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70PEN 2.36
$0.59PEN 1.99
18.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.75PEN 16.10
$5.54PEN 18.79
-14.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.83PEN 19.77
$8.59PEN 29.13
-32.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90PEN 6.45
$1.68PEN 5.70
13.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16PEN 10.72
$2.81PEN 9.52
12.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29PEN 0.99
$0.29PEN 0.99
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.64PEN 5.56
$3.41PEN 11.58
-51.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.66PEN 5.65
$2.22PEN 7.52
-25.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.79PEN 9.47
$8.13PEN 27.56
-65.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49PEN 5.06
$1.23PEN 4.18
21.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KPEN 64.9K
$19.4KPEN 65.8K
-1.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9KPEN 74.2K
$24.8KPEN 84.1K
-11.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.89PEN 115
$54.9PEN 186
-38.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.14PEN 47.96
$8.10PEN 27.48
74.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.07PEN 105
$23.46PEN 79.6
32.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.62PEN 104
$32.98PEN 112
-7.16%
Cinema Ticket
$5.00PEN 16.95
$7.14PEN 24.22
-29.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$220PEN 746
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$7,866PEN 26.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.06PEN 122
$50.2PEN 170
-28.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.00PEN 98.4
$36.04PEN 122
-19.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.9PEN 210
$90.9PEN 308
-31.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.3PEN 245
$82.4PEN 279
-12.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$303PEN 1,029
$666PEN 2,259
-54.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247PEN 839
$503PEN 1,706
-50.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$588PEN 1,995
$1,600PEN 5,427
-63.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$424PEN 1,437
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,891PEN 13.2K
$2,513PEN 8,524
54.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,798PEN 6,101
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cusco
Miraflores
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$427PEN 1,449
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
10.11
8.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cusco: July 14, 2026
Last update for Miraflores: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $303 in Cusco and $666 in Miraflores. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $28.00 in Cusco vs $33.00 in Miraflores for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $192 vs $194 per month, with Cusco cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cusco vs Miraflores: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miraflores cheaper than Cusco?
Cusco is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 41% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,109 in Cusco and $1,565 in Miraflores to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Cusco and Miraflores?
Rent for a central apartment: $303 in Cusco versus $666 in Miraflores. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Cusco and in Miraflores?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Miraflores. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Cusco or in Miraflores?
Dining out is cheaper in Cusco – a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $33.00 in Miraflores. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Cusco or in Miraflores?
At $739 in Cusco versus $1,044 in Miraflores, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cusco but tight or insufficient in Miraflores. The gap between the two cities makes Cusco the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cusco or Miraflores more family-friendly?
For families, Cusco is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Miraflores, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cusco or Miraflores?
Safety-wise, Cusco and Miraflores are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Cusco gentler on the wallet – expenses run 41% less than in Miraflores. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.